Golf ’s Drive Toward
Sustainability

Looking Forward

BMP Working Groups

A cornerstone of Golf’s Drive Toward Sustainability is the examination of existing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and the development of performance statements.  The performance statements will be broad-based and encompass the entire golf facility, including management of turfgrass, landscape, environmental resources, buildings and operations.  They will provide golf facilities a resource from which to evaluate their current operations and determine their plan for continuous improvement.  They will also prompt the creation of new tools and resources, support existing programs and will be used to recognize and award performance by The Institute.

Four working groups are undertaking this groundbreaking work, with a fifth group providing oversight and direction. As a collaborative effort, these working groups bring together the full spectrum of the golf industry, as well as university researchers, and representatives from environmental advocacy groups and the EPA.  The committees and representatives are:

Oversight Committee
  • David Burger, Stewardship Partners
  • Robert Carrow, Ph.D., University of Georgia
  • Scott Cole, Syngenta
  • Dan Dinelli, CGCS, North Shore Country Club
  • Jay Eccleton, CGCS, The Emerald at Maple Creek
  • Kelly Elbin, The PGA of America
  • Kimberly Erusha, Ph.D., United States Golf Association
  • Pat Finlen, CGCS, The Olympic Club
  • Paul Foley, Golf Course Builders Association of America
  • Britton Harold, Jacobsen, A Textron Company
  • Brett Hetland, CGCS, Brooks National Golf Club
  • Dana Lonn, P.E., The Toro Company
  • Bill Maynard, CGCS, Milburn Golf & Country Club
  • Ruben McCullers, Solid Waste & Pollution Prevention Branch EPA Region 7
  • David McLaughlin, World Wildlife Fund
  • Chad Ritterbusch, American Society of Golf Course Architects
  • Ron Rosenbaum, Club Managers Association of America
  • Bill Stinson, Rain Bird Corporation - Golf Div.
  • Mike Tinkey, National Golf Course Owners Association
  • Anthony Williams, CGCS, Stone Mountain Golf Course
Energy Conservation Working Group
  • Ben Cunningham, Club Car Inc.
  • Allen Evans, E-Z-GO & CUSHMAN, A Textron Company
  • Shelia Finney,  Gaylord Springs Golf Links
  • Dave Freitag, The Club at Pronghorn
  • Corey Gerhart, Barton Hills Country Club
  • Britton Harold, Jacobsen, A Textron Company
  • Tim Hiers, CGCS, The Old Collier Club
  • Adam Ikamas, Crystal Mountain Resort
  • Dana Lonn, P.E., The Toro Company
  • David McCallum, The Island Country Club
  • Ruben McCullers, Solid Waste & Pollution Prevention Branch EPA Region 7
  • Jonathan Moultan, Old Greenwood Golf Course
  • Jeff Newell, Sunridge Hills Country Club
  • Kevin Osgood, Sterling Golf Management
  • Frank Rossi, Ph.D., Cornell University
  • Andrew Staples, Golf Resource Group Inc.
Pollution Prevention Working Group
  • Charlie Birney, Atlantic Golf
  • Brett Hetland, CGCS, Brooks National Golf Club
  • Joel Jackson, CGCS, Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association
  • Barbara Johnson, P.E., Kansas State University
  • John Johnson, Retired Golf Course Superintendent
  • Peter McDonough, The Keswick Club
  • Richard Rees, Ph.D., Bayer CropScience LP
  • Jeff Spencer, Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
  • Rich Spurlin, CCM, CCE, Eugene Country Club
  • Terry Stratton, Little River Inn Golf & Tennis Resort
Water Conservation Working Group
  • David Coote, Wood Ranch Golf Course
  • John Crean, Broken Sound Club
  • John Crowder, Valley Crest Golf Course Maintenance
  • Dale Devitt, Ph.D., University of Nevada – Las Vegas
  • Jay Eccleton, CGCS, The Emerald at Maple Creek
  • Mark Esoda, CGCS, Atlanta Country Club
  • Dana Lonn, P.E., The Toro Company
  • Justin Ruiz, CGCS, The Rim Golf Club
  • Mark Schmidt, Ph.D., John Deere
  • Andy Smith, Irrigation Association
  • Bill Stinson, Rain Bird Corporation - Golf Div.
  • Jason Taylor, PGA of America
  • Patrick Watson, CGCS, Southern Nevada Water Authority
  • Craig Weyandt, The Moorings Club
  • Mandy Whitsitt, EPA Region 7 Watershed Planning
Water Quality Protection Working Group
  • John Crean, Broken Sound Club
  • Darren Davis, Olde Florida Golf Club
  • Dan Dinelli, CGCS, North Shore Country Club
  • Brian Horgan, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
  • Kevin Hutchins, Mission Viejo Country Club
  • JR James, Syngenta
  • Gene Mulak, Vineyards Golf Club
  • Robert Nielsen, Jr., CGCS, Bedford Golf & Tennis Club
  • David Phipps, Stone Creek Golf Course
  • Richard Rees, Ph.D., Bayer CropScience LP
  • Cutler Robinson, CGCS, Bayville Golf Club
  • Nancy Sadlon, New Jersey Green Industry Council
  • Maria Sanyshyn, Richter Park Golf Course
  • Charles Scott, Gull Lake View Golf Resort
  • Brian Steinwand, EPA Office of Pesticide Programs
  • Tim Theodorakis, DuPont  Crop Protection
  • Bryan Unruh, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • George Walker, Sustainability Engineering and Research Inc.

 

Broad-Based Participation

The BMP initiative taps the expertise of representatives from around the golf industry and beyond, from allied organizations and industry partners, to research universities, environmental advocacy groups and the EPA. Each working group will examine existing Best Management Practices in that area and then will develop practical performance statements that can be adapted and implemented at individual golf facilities.